URGENT: Please complete survey today

[Guest guest]

NYCCAT Community:

This is an urgent plea for those who have not completed the

survey to do so today. To date 181

individuals have filled out the survey. There are far more creative arts therapists

out there. A meeting is scheduled for

October 29 in Albany

where many of our concerns will be addressed.

The meeting is not open to the public, but they are accepting letters

from organizations and individuals who are impacted by the current licensing

situation. CATs are underrepresented in

this discussion and we need to show that we are impacted by these laws. We are planning on writing a letter describing

the situation for creative arts therapists in which we will include preliminary

data from this survey. In order for the

survey results to represent as many creative arts therapists as possible, we

need EVERYONE who has not filled the survey out to take the time NOW to do so. It is QUICK and PAINLESS and incredibly important.

You can find the survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5Tgao20CX3Tnpy0dHq_2fL4g_3d_3d

I have also pasted below the statement that Drena prepared

that outlines the problem.

We deeply appreciate all of you that have taken the time to

complete the survey and strongly encourage those who have not yet done so to fill

it out today.

Sincerely,

D. , RDT, LCAT

Drena Fagen, ATR-BC, LMSW, LCAT

Lucy McLellan, RDT, LCAT

THE PROBLEM:

Some people have expressed confusion about what the

"unintended

consequences" of the licensing laws are. Here is a quick summary:

-Licensed mental health professionals (LCATs, LMHCs, LMSWs, LCSWs,

LPs, and LMFTs) cannot work in any setting that is not authorized by

the state.*

-Many non-profits who used to hire CATs are no longer permitted to do

so because their "certificate of incorporation" strictly forbids the

practice of "licensed professions." Before we were licensed it was

perfectly legal.

-If these non-profits do hire CATs now, they cannot call the work

"therapy" and the worker cannot identify him/herself as a

"creative

arts therapist."

-These non-profits are also forbidden from hiring LCATs as

"consultants" or "independent contractors" to provide

services to

their clients.

-Limited-permit holders cannot work as independent contractors in ANY

setting, even legal settings.

-It is illegal to provide supervision to limited-permit seekers in

non-approved settings.

-In 2010, settings that are exempt from these rules, will no longer be.

Many non-profit programs are impacted. Some examples: grant-funded

programs, such as those that bring counseling to schools,

community-based service providers; programs that bring therapeutic

arts to hospitals & shelters; homeless services; elder care; community

centers, etc. Non-profits who used to be able to hire us when we were

not "licensed" are now operating illegally if they hire us to

"practice our licensed profession." MOST of these organizations have

no idea that the licensing law impacts who they hire and the resulting

scope of practice limitations.

*A business MUST BE regulated by Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office

of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), Office

of Alcholism & Substance Abuse (OASAS), Office of Children & Family

Services (OCFS), local social service district or mental hygiene

department in order to hire licensed professionals.

ORIGINAL SURVEY POSTING:

Recent postings on this and other professional listservs

have alerted

our professional community to the unintended impact of new licensing

laws on non-profit employers in New

York State.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?:

• Many CAT jobs in non-profit settings are at stake

• Agencies are learning that they are no longer permitted to hire CATs

• LCATs are being informed that they are practicing illegally

• These issues affect both licensed and non-licensed professionals

• Supervisors are impacted as well

The pool of jobs is shrinking because of restrictions on practice.

This is a statewide problem impacting ALL licensed mental health

professionals.

Please take the following short survey (5-10 minutes) to help us

determine the scope of individuals and work sites impacted. Through

your participation, you will help us to collate the comprehensive data

we need and guide us to determining next steps for advocating for our

profession.

The time is now. Complete the survey.

LINK TO SURVEY HERE:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5Tgao20CX3Tnpy0dHq_2fL4g_3d_3d

Thank you in advance for your participation.

D. , RDT, LCAT

Drena Fagen, ATR-BC, LMSW, LCAT

Lucy McLellan, RDT, LCAT